4th of July shout out to US gov't service

[Moustachienne]

This happened a couple of years ago but I thought some kudos from a Canadian perspective would help celebrate today.  :)

After an elderly relative took his hands of the wheel of life and stopped paying bills, cleaning his apartment, etc., an "intervention" was needed.  This revealed that he had also neglected to send back the annual Social Security form that keeps his US pension coming. (He worked in the US for a number of years and has the SS/CPP deal.)

Expecting the worst, I made a phone call to the nearest state SS office to try and clear things up. I expected a run around and many people to contact.  Well, after that one phone call, SS mailed me all the necessary forms to get him re-enrolled, get his arrears, and set up the power of attorney arrangements in case he can't sign for himself in future.  I was floored.

I realized that I had taken on board the impression that the US gov't doesn't "work".  Not so.

It was funny that the efficient fellow who got it all sorted out by phone was a bit brusque, even by Canadian standards.  Maybe some Americans would have found him unfriendly lol.

Happy 4th, y'all!

[Morning Glory]

I'd like to give a shout-out out to the crew working on my road. They are completely re-grading and repaving the whole thing due to a government grant to reduce accidents. They are also going to pave the shoulders so biking will be easier.
The crew has been very accommodating about letting us in and out and telling us which way is best. I think the longest I have had to wait was 30 minutes while they smoothed out the bottom of our driveway.

My library is awesome too!!!

[WildJager]

Expecting the worst, I made a phone call to the nearest state SS office to try and clear things up. I expected a run around and many people to contact.  Well, after that one phone call, SS mailed me all the necessary forms to get him re-enrolled, get his arrears, and set up the power of attorney arrangements in case he can't sign for himself in future.  I was floored.

Yeah, as a person who works in the US government the system does in fact work when talking about the big rocks.  Just methodically.  And annoyingly slow.  And inefficiently.  But I've learned that those are a necessary when dealing with so many people.  The end workers who interact with people (so not the system designers or influencers) are the ones who are always pestered in the means of, "Oh, is that form really necessary?  Can I please just get my (x,y,z) anyway"  That does a toll on those workers who get paid, frankly, not very well.  As a result I try to give them the utmost respect and dignity when dealing with them, and as a result (after learning my lessons) I haven't had issues with agents in years as long as I take them for their word and try to work with them, not against them.  And, by not being a jerk, I'm often times given slack through the bureaucracy.  Face to face interaction, if available, always does wonders too.

The key factor in my opinion is recognizing a giant bureaucracy like the US govt is a system; not a person.  Therefore, it can be difficult to reason with.  Many people don't understand this and fight against the customer service reps for "their" lack of logic.  While what they're saying for their specific situation may be logical and fair, if it doesn't fit the mold you're going to have to work through a bit of red tape before you get what you want.  Usually it's not a big deal... it just takes time and patience.  Patience is a skill set that is lacking in most people. 

[LaineyAZ]

Another Amen to U.S. government workers.  I signed up for Social Security this year and it was painless. 
Also got the card from Bureau of Land Management which allows seniors to get in national parks for free - there was no one in line and it took literally five minutes. 
Just 2 examples of recent interactions with the federal government and its workers who must have to deal every day with a public that has been taught to scorn them.  Hats off to you folks, Happy 4th.

[JohannaP]

I had to get some birth certificates for licensure reasons from Kalamazoo MI.  Very painless and efficient; no line, paid them a reasonable amount of money and I had them within 20 minutes.  Also shout out to public libraries everywhere!!!

[wenchsenior]

Hear, hear!

[Rosy]

Big shout out to my local SS office. This was a couple of years ago, but I knew my application wouldn't be easy to sort out, yet ...
(I had every paper possible with me, that they might need, thinking to at least get the ball rolling.)

Two hours later I walked out all set, three weeks later I received my first payment incl a one month back payment (they counted from the day I called for an appt a month earlier).
She was super knowledgeable and professional and made a huge difference in my life. 

I had envisioned months of runaround and incompetent, "I could care less" attitudes - not so, at all. It was a complete surprise, I didn't know that SS had access to Homeland Security records among other things I found out that day.
I am eternally grateful.

Yes, government is us - we are the people:)

[ROF Expat]

I spent over 30 years working for the State Department, mostly overseas.  I saw a few poor performers, as you would in any organization, but the vast majority of my colleagues worked hard to do their jobs in difficult and often dangerous circumstances.  It was incredibly disheartening for them to hear their fellow Americans characterizing them as lazy or incompetent.  Fortunately, most of them do the work because they know it is important rather than because they expect people to understand or appreciate what they do.  The occasional sincere "thank you" like these posts goes a long way, though. 

[M2 pilot]

Generally I agree with these positive posts but I don't feel the love today.  I've been trying to enroll in Medicare Part B for 6 weeks as of today.  No success. Have dealt with several SS representatives & been on the phone on hold literally for hours.  Have been given conflicting info.  I could go on & on but I won't.

[kimmarg]

The key factor in my opinion is recognizing a giant bureaucracy like the US govt is a system; not a person.

This.

Federal employee here. Glad to see we are appreciated at least by some! I am a very small cog on a very large machine, but myself and my coworkers generally try our best to do what we can within the rules that we have. I work in a 24-7 operation, and yes much of the stuff we are doing is sort of in the background and not something you think about until suddenly at 2am on a holiday you need it and you're glad we're there.

Gotta pass the shout out back to Canada. I worked in Quebec for a few months and had absolutely no idea how to deal with filing taxes for Quebec/Canada as well as the US. I called the 1-800-O-CANADA number who connected me to a nice person in the tax office who told me what form and how to fill it out and I got all my tax money that had been widtheld by Canada sent back to me! 

[Debonair]

Being an American in Taiwan I probably benifit the most from different parts of the government. For political reasons it's called "American Institute" but I like having and embassy in all but name. I'm shore someday I will need it. Probably the thing that benefits me the most is the military and the USAs security agreements.

So here is to a regionally stability!